Adjustable resistive exercise kit, apparel item and method of using same

ABSTRACT

An exercise kit is disclosed which includes a foundation article of clothing adapted to carry user adjustable resistive means which cooperates with the foundation article of clothing to facilitate the exercise or toning of at least one muscle group of a user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional continuation-in-part utilitypatent application of non-provisional utility patent application withSer. No. 12/637,693 filed on Dec. 14, 2009, and entitled “EXERCISE KIT,APPAREL ITEM AND METHOD OF USING SAME.”

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention generally relates to exercise equipment as well as amethod for providing muscle conditioning. The invention moreparticularly relates to a muscle toning kit and method which includes afoundation apparel item in combination with one or more resistanceelements which cooperate together to facilitate the conditioning ordevelopment of the muscles of a user by the repetitive or continuousactivity of the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Exercise equipment for conditioning and toning muscles has existed in avariety of forms. The majority of such equipment for most part has beenlarge, bulky and expensive except for garment type items. For example,reference may be made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,559,654; 3,759,510; 4,384,369;5,033,123; 5,109,546; 5,465,428; 5,708,976; 5,842,859; 5,875,491;5,897,423; 5,921,945; 5,978,965; 6,258,014; and 6,656,097.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,759,510 describes an exercise garment including ahelmet, jacket, armlets, gloves, belt, shorts, thigh leggings, calfleggings and boots with these components being detachably connectedtogether for the use of a total composite garment or for the useseparately in various combinations, each component of the total garmenthaving exterior pockets which may be filled or partially filled with aparticular weight material of various densities. This exercise garmentis cumbersome and should be worn on the outside, not underneath theclothes.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,123 relates to a garment that comprises a pair oftrousers and optionally a solid upper jacket to form a combination suit.This garment is worn in such activities as lumbering and sporting whereconsiderable body bending is involved. These trousers and jacket areworn on the outside, not as an undergarment.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,546 relates to an exercise suit with form fittingpants and pullover top made of stretchable material having reinforcingsegments with helically wound leg and arm resistance bands attachedintegrally to the suit.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,893 relates to an inflatable exercise belt forplacement around the abdomen of a user includes a substantiallybelt-shaped body. A selectively inflatable air chamber is disposed at afirst end portion of the belt. A backing is disposed adjacent to theinflatable air chamber so that when the inflatable air chamber isinflated, it expands in a direction away from the backing therebyexerting pressure on the abdomen of the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,656,097 relates to an exercise kit having a lightweightfoundation article of clothing having at least a pair of elongatedpockets. An elongated bent elastomeric urethane member is secured withindesired ones of the pockets and provides resistance when deformed and noresistance when restored resiliently to its original shape. The methodof using the kit includes performing physical activities that includesmovement of at least some portion of the body sufficient to cause theurethane member to deform and to provide sufficient resistance to themovement to tone the muscles of the user experiencing such resistance.

While such garments may have been satisfactory for certain situations,it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved exercise garmentand kit, which is comfortable to wear and which provides good muscletoning without causing unwanted and undesired muscle strain or soreness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A muscle toning kit includes an exercise garment having a firstresistance article and a second resistance article. The first resistancearticle and the second resistance article cooperate to facilitate theexercise of at least one muscle group of a user. The first resistancearticle is adjustable to provide a range of user selected resistancelevels, while second resistance article has another range of userselected resistance levels so that as the user maneuvers the exercisegarment, its adjustable pressure opposing structures facilitate thetoning and conditioning of the at least one muscle group of the user.The method includes wearing and deforming the exercise garment from itsoriginal shape through natural extension and flexing actions of the userto facilitate providing a resistive force to condition the at least onemuscle group of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned features of the invention and the manner ofattaining them will become apparent, and the invention itself will bebest understood by reference to the following description of theembodiments of the invention in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an exercise kit and device, which areconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded view of an air pressure adjustmentmechanism forming part of a first resistance article of the exercise kitof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of a second resistance article forming partof the exercise kit and device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the exercise device secondresistance article taken substantially along line 3A-3A of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a first resistance article securing strapforming part of the exercise kit and device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear plan view of the exercise device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a cross sectional view of the exercise device takensubstantially along line 4A-4A of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4B is a cross sectional view of the exercise device takensubstantially along line 4B-4B of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4C is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross sectional view ofthe exercise device of FIG. 4B;

FIG. 4D is an enlarged view of another portion of the cross sectionalview of the exercise device of FIG. 4B;

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of the exercise device, illustrating itbeing loaded with resistance elements to adjust the resistance level ofa second resistance article forming part of the exercise device of FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a rear pictorial view of the first resistance article of theexercise device, illustrating it in a flat mounting state about to bewrapped around and secured to a user;

FIG. 7 is a front pictorial view of the first resistance article of theexercise device of FIG. 6, illustrating it wrapped around and secured toa user;

FIG. 8 is a rear pictorial view of the exercise device of FIG. 6,illustrating it wrapped around and secured to a user;

FIG. 9 is a front pictorial view of the first resistance article of theexercise device of FIG. 7, showing the user in the process of adjustingthe resistance level of the first resistance article;

FIG. 10 is a pictorial view of the exercise device of FIG. 4 secured toa user;

FIG. 11 is another pictorial view of the exercise device of FIG. 4secured to a user;

FIG. 12 depicts the fluid paths within the first resistance article ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is a front plan view of the exercise device of FIG. 1,illustrating the orientation of the second resistance article relativeto the first resistance article;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged pictorial view of the air pressure adjustmentmechanism of FIG. 2, illustrating a user in the process of engaging inone case an associated inflating mechanism and in another case anassociated deflating mechanism;

FIG. 15 is a rear pictorial view of a step-in exercise device, which isconstructed in accordance with the present invention:

FIG. 16 is a front pictorial view of the step-in exercise device of FIG.15, showing the user in the process of adjusting the resistance level ofits first resistance article;

FIG. 17 is a rear plan view of another wrap-around exercise kit anddevice, which are constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a front plan view of the exercise device of FIG. 17,illustrating it being loaded with resistance elements to adjust itsresistance level with a set of second resistance articles that form partof the exercise device of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a rear pictorial view of another step-in exercise device incombination with an exercise top, which are constructed in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a front pictorial view of the step-in exercise device and topof FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a rear pictorial view of yet another step-in exercise devicewith an integrated exercise top, which is constructed in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 22 is a front pictorial view of the step-in exercise device of FIG.21;

FIG. 23 is a pictorial view of still yet another exercise device, whichis constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a side elevational view of a resistance element of andsecuring mechanism for the wrap-around exercise device of FIG. 18;

FIG. 25 is a top plan view of an alternative resistance element andsecuring mechanism for another exercise device constructed in accordancewith the present invention; and

FIG. 26 is a top plan view of an alternative resistance element andsecuring mechanism for yet another exercise device constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1 there isillustrated an exercise kit 6 which includes a conventional exercisegarment, such as a pair of exercise shorts 8, and an adjustable exercisedevice 10 which is adapted to be worn as a wearing apparel item by auser U (FIG. 6), over the conventional pair of shorts 8. The pair ofshorts or cover pants can be spandex screen printed to provide theshorts 8 with a decorative appearance. The adjustable exercise device 10is completely portable, light weight and when attached to the body ofthe user U, it is transformed from a substantially flat 2-dimensionalwearing apparel article as best seen in FIGS. 4C and 6, into a3-dimension wearing apparel article, as best seen in FIGS. 7-11. In thisregard the exercise kit 6 can be easily worn by the user U duringprofessional workout activities associated with football, soccer,baseball, basketball, and tennis for example, during gym or homeexercise activities, or even during the activities experienced duringthe normal work day that includes walking, reaching, climbing, turningand running. In short then, the exercise kit 6 and exercise device 10provide the user with a piece of portable exercise equipment which canbe used to tone and exercise body muscles without causing unwanted andundesired muscle strain or soreness.

As will be explained hereinafter in greater detail, the exercise device10 includes a plurality of dynamically adjustable pressure opposingstructures which are arranged so the user can maneuver and adjust thepressure opposing structures either before securing the exercise device10 to the body of the user or “on the fly” while the user is engaged inan exercise activity. The exercise device 10 therefore provides aplurality of different user selected resistance levels, which facilitateconditioning or developing of one or more one muscle groups of the userU.

The method of using the kit 6 to facilitate the conditioning ordeveloping of one or more muscle groups of the user U, as best seen inFIGS. 6-11, include wrapping and overlaying the adjustable exercisedevice 10 around a selected body part of the user, such as around thewaist, hips, buttocks and upper legs of the user; securing theadjustable exercise device 10 to the selected body part of the user U;adjusting the resistance levels of the exercise device 10 so the usercan maneuver the pressure opposing structures of the exercise device 10to provide a plurality of different user selected resistance levelswhich facilitate conditioning or developing of one or more one musclegroups of the user U; and engaging in any type of physical activity thatwill move the muscle group or groups covered by the exercise device 10such as a professional workout activity, a gym or home exerciseactivity, or even normal work day activities that includes walking,reaching, climbing, turning and running.

Considering the adjustable exercise device 10 in greater detail withreference to FIGS. 1, 4B and 6, the exercise device 10 generallyincludes a first resistance article 12 which is adapted to be worn bythe user U, to provide a plurality of adjustable pressure opposingstructures at a first angle of resistance θ₁ against one or more musclegroups of the user U, and a second resistance article 14 which isadapted to provide another plurality of pressure opposing structures ata second angle of resistance θ₂ against the same one or more musclegroups of the user. In short then, as best seen in FIG. 7, the firstresistance article 12 and the second resistance article 14 cooperate toprovide at least two different angles of resistance for the opposingstructures to operate against one or more muscle groups of a user. Aswill be explained hereinafter in greater detail, the level of resistanceprovided by first resistance article 12 is adjustable between a minimumresistance level and a maximum resistance level. Likewise, the level ofresistance provided by the second resistance article 14 is alsoadjustable between a minimum resistance level and a maximum resistancelevel. In short then, the exercise device 10 not only provides twodifferent angles of resistance for the opposing structures provided bythe first resistance article 12 and the second resistance article 14,but also the resistance levels of those article 12 and 14 can beadjusted individually to provide a user with a wide range of resistancelevels to effectively condition and develop one or more of the musclegroups of the user U. Moreover, due to the unique structure of theexercise device transforming from basically a 2-dimensional structure ina first configuration to a 3-dimensional structure in a secondconfiguration, the user is provided with 360 degrees of opposingstructures for operating against one or more muscle groups of a user.

Considering now the angles of resistance provided by the firstresistance article 12 and the second resistance article 14, in onepreferred embodiment of the present invention, as best seen in FIGS. 4and 6, the first angle of resistance θ₁ is at about 90 degrees to thelongitudinal axis L of the user, while the second angle of resistance θ₂is at about 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis L of the user. It shouldbe understood by those skilled in the art, that the first angle ofresistance θ₁ and the second angle of resistance θ₂ are chosen toprovide the most effective and beneficial resistance levels for themuscle group or muscle groups that will be opposed by the resultingpressure structures. Moreover, when the exercise garment 10 is wrappedabout the user, as best seen in FIGS. 6-11, the angles of resistanceprovided by the exercise garment 10 are transformed from a substantiallyflat 2-dimensional orientation plane as best seen in FIG. 7 and into athree-dimensional orientation as best seen in FIGS. 6, and 8-11 toprovide the user with a 3-dimension workout article, which provides asmentioned earlier 360 degrees of opposing structures for operatingagainst one or more muscle groups of a user. This is a unique and noveltransforming structure which not only provides a wide variation in theangles of the opposing structures but which also provides the user withthe ability to adjust the resistance levels of the opposing structure sothat the selected resistance levels will enhance and specifically targetthe conditioning or developing of one or more muscle groups of the userU. In short, as the user manipulates the exercise device 10. it willprovide various angles of resistance against a muscle group of the user,such as an angle of resistance θ₃.

Although in the preferred embodiment of the present invention thedisclosed first angle of resistance θ₁ and the disclosed second angle ofresistance θ₂ have been described as being between about 90 degrees andabout 45 degrees respectively, it should be understood by those skilledin the art, that other angles of resistance could be selected based uponthe muscle group or groups that are targeted for development. Thereforethere is no intention of limiting the scope of the disclosed first angleof resistance θ₁ at about 90 degrees as the first angle of resistance θ₁can be selected to be between about 0 degrees and about 90 degrees, butmost preferably to be about 90 degrees. Similarly, there is no intentionof limiting the scope of the disclosed second angle of resistance θ₂ atabout 45 degrees as the second angle of resistance θ₂ can be selected tobe between about 0 degrees and about 90 degrees relative to the firstangle of resistance θ₁, but most preferably to be about 45 degreesrelative to the first angle of resistance θ₁.

Considering now the first resistance article 12 in still greater detailwith reference to FIGS. 6-11, the first resistance article 12 is asmentioned earlier, a substantially flat, lightweight wearing apparelarticle as best seen in FIG. 6, which can be worn over the exercisegarment 8. In this regard, the first resistance article 12 is completelyportable when it is not being worn by the user. However, when attachedor secured to the body of a user U, the first resistance article 12 istransformed from a substantially flat 2-dimensional wearing apparelarticle as best seen in 4B and into a 3-dimension article as best seenin FIGS. 10-11, which can be easily worn during professional workoutactivities associated with football, soccer, baseball, basketball, andtennis for example, during gym or home exercise activities, or evenduring normal work day activities that includes walking, reaching,climbing, turning and running in order to provide the user with a devicethat tones and exercise body muscles without causing unwanted andundesired muscle strain or soreness. The first resistance article 12 isuser adjustable to provide a range of user selected resistance levels atvarious angles of resistance, such as an angle of resistance θ₃ whereinthe user can maneuvers the pressure opposing structures of the firstresistance article 12 by exerting an operating pressure thereupon tofacilitate conditioning or developing of one or more one muscle groupsof the user.

As will be explained hereinafter in greater detail, a user can increasethe opposing structure forces of the exercise kit 6 by overlaying asubstantial portion of the first resistance article 12 with the secondresistance article 14. The second resistance article 14 as will beexplained hereinafter in greater detail, includes a plurality of memoryresistant components which provide another range of user selectedresistance levels, wherein the user may further maneuver the pressureopposing structures of the second resistance article 12 by simplyexerting an operating pressure thereupon, which in turn facilitatesconditioning or developing of the one or more muscle groups of the user.

To accommodate the above-mentioned wide variety of different kinds ofphysical activities, whether they be associated with a professionalworkout, a home or gym workout, or simply engaging in normal work dayactivities, the first resistance article 12 generally includes aflexible inside member 20 and a flexible outside member 30, which areshaped as best seen in FIG. 1. The inside member 20 and the outsidemember 30, when heat sealed together form an inflatable bladder as willbe described hereinafter in greater detail. The inside member 20 and theoutside member 30 are made of a flexible polyvinylchloride material,also known as a PVC material, which would be the most cost effective. Inthe alternative, the inside member 20 and the outside member 30 can bemade from a thermo plastic urethane material which would be moreexpensive. Other materials between these extremes would also besuitable, selected from the group consisting of, but not limited toPolypropylene, Polyethylene (PP); Thermal Plastic Urethane (TPU); afabric material coated in rubber or other thermoplastic materials suchas silicone, and a Thermo Plastic Elastomeric (TPE). Therefore, there isno intention of limiting the scope of the disclosed first resistancearticle 12 to a specific material type as a broad range of materials arecontemplated within the true scope of the present invention.

In order to control the resistance levels of the exercise device 10, asbest seen in FIGS. 7 and 9, the first resistance article 12 includes apair of air pressure adjustment mechanisms indicated generally at 40 and50 respectively. The air pressure adjustment mechanisms 40 and 50 areutilized by the user U to control the resistance level of the firstresistance article 12 by: 1) inflating the first resistance article 12to a user selected resistance level; 2) deflating the first resistancearticle 12 to another user selected resistance level if needed ordesired; or 3) to a completely deflate the first resistance article 12for storage and transportation purposes. It should be noted that in thecompletely deflated state or level, the first resistance article 12 is asubstantially flat 2-dimensional article as best seen in FIG. 4B, whichflat 2-dimensional structure facilitates ease in storage andtransportation of the exercise device 10. The pair of air pressureadjustment mechanisms 40 and 50 is provided so the resistance levels ofthe first resistance article 12 can be controlled relative to a rightside portion of the first resistance article 12 and a left side portionof the first resistance article 12. This feature will be describedhereinafter in greater detail.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art, that although thefirst resistance article 12 has been described as having a short pantlike configuration, a the first resistance article may be configured inany desired shape not only to wrap around the waist, hips and upper legsof user, but it may also be configured to be wrapped around anyextremity of a user, such as an arm, a leg, or other selected muscleareas such as the hips, buttocks, or even the abdomen of the user U.Therefore, there is no intention of limiting the scope of the disclosedfirst resistance article 12 to a pant like structure, as other types ofexercise structures are contemplated within the true scope of thepresent invention, whether the structure of the exercise device be foran arm, a leg, an elbow area, a knee area, a back area, and abdomen areaa neck area, a buttock area, or some combination of muscle areas such asthe muscle area covered by the exercise device 10.

In summary then, the first resistance article 12 is a bladder likeinflatable apparel article made of a number of component parts, whichinclude: the inside or inner member 20, which is shaped as best seen inFIG. 1; the outside or outer member 30, which is shaped as best seen inFIG. 1; and the pair of air pressure adjustment mechanisms 40 and 50respectively, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Each of these componentparts will be described hereinafter in greater detail and areillustrated in the accompanying drawings. Similar or identicalstructures will not be individually described, instead only one of thesimilar or identical parts will be described in greater detail.

Considering now the first resistance article 12 in still greater detail,the inside member 20 and the outside member 30 are each substantiallyflat structures where the inside member 20 includes an interior bondingsurface area indicated generally at 22 (FIGS. 4C and 4D) and where theoutside member 30 includes an interior bonding surface area 32 (FIGS. 4Cand 4D). The interior surface area 22 of the inside member 20 and theinterior surface area 32 of the outside member 30 are substantiallyco-extensive with one another to form a desire garment shape with aspecific size which is selected to wrap around a specific body part ofthe user. This co-extensive configuration also allows the inside member20 and the outside member 30 to be heat sealed together at their bondingsurface areas 22 and 32 respectively to form a flat uniform structure asbest seen in the non inflated side-elevational view in FIG. 4B of theaccompanying drawings.

When the inside member 20 and the outside member 30 are heat sealedtogether to form the first resistance article 12, they create a numberof important features which facilitate the ease in attaching the firstresistance article 12 to the body of the user. These features include:an elongate waist strap feature indicated generally at 80, an elongateright leg strap feature indicated generally at 82 and an elongate leftleg strap feature indicated generally at 84. Also formed are strapreceiving slots for receiving these straps 80, 82 and 84 respectively,which slots include a waist strap receiving slot indicated generally at90, a right leg strap receiving slot 92 and a left leg strap receivingslot 94.

To facilitate securing or cinching each strap within its respectiveslot, the first resistance article 12 is also provided with a pluralityof hook and pile pad groups which includes a waist hook pad 81 disposedon the waist strap 80, a waist pile pad 91 disposed adjacent to thewaist strap receiving slot 90, a right leg hook pad 83 disposed on theright leg strap 82, a right leg pile pad 93 disposed adjacent to theright leg receiving slot 92, a left leg hook pad 85 disposed on the leftleg strap 84, and a left leg pile pad 95 disposed adjacent to the leftleg receiving slot 94, which pads 81, 83, 85, 91, 93, and 95 areadhesively secured to the appropriate surfaces of the first resistancearticle 12 as indicated to enable respective hook and pile groups toengage for securing the first resistance article 12 to the body of theuser at the waist and legs respectively as best seen in FIGS. 6-11.

As the inside member 20 and the outside member 30 are co-extensive withone another, each of the members 20 and 30 contribute to the formationof the straps 80, 82, and 84, as well as to the strap receiving slots90, 92, and 94. In this regard, the inside member 20 includescorresponding strap portions 80′, 82′ and 84′ and corresponding slotportions 90′, 92′ and 94′ as best seen in FIG. 1. In a similar manner,the outside member 30 includes corresponding strap portions 80″, 82″,and 84″ and corresponding slot portions 90″, 92″, and 94″ also, as bestseen in FIG. 1.

As will be explained hereinafter in greater detail, the inside member 20has a plurality of die alignment marks, such as for example, a diealignment mark 24 and a die alignment mark 26 as best seen in FIG. 12.This plurality of die alignment marks are utilized to define theinterior bonding area 22 of the inside member 20, which marks furtherfacilitate the creation of a plurality of air chambers AC formed in aheat sealing process between the interior bonding surface area 22 of theinside member 20 and the interior bonding surface area 32 of the outsidemember 30. For now, it will suffice to state a heating die (not shown)presses against the inside member 20 and the outside member 30 at thedie alignment marks heating them to cause the plurality of air chambers,such as air chambers AC to be formed as best seen in FIGS. 4, and 4A-D.

The die alignment marks on the inside member 20 are arranged so thatwhen the interior surface of the front member is heat sealed to theinterior surface of the outside member 30 the first resistance article12 is formed and configured into a plurality of inflatable, interconnected air chambers AC. When the front member 20 and the back member30 are heat sealed together, they also form two separate inflatablesections, an inflatable right side group of air chambers, indicatedgenerally at 42 (FIG. 12) for facilitating directing a pressure forceagainst a right side group of muscles and an inflatable left side groupof air chambers, indicated generally at 52 (FIG. 12) for facilitatingdirecting a pressure force against a left side group of muscles. In thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, the inflatable right sidegroup 42 of air chambers and the inflatable left side group 52 of airchamber can be inflated independently of one another. However, it iscontemplated that the two groups 42 and 52 respectively of air chambersAC could be arranged to be inflated simultaneously if desired. Thereforethere is no intention of limiting the scope of the disclosed inflatablechambers to a specific number of groups, as one or more groups arecontemplated within the true scope of the present invention.

As best seen in FIG. 12, the front member 20 includes a plurality of airpassageways indicated at 45-49 interconnect the air chambers AC in theright side group 42 of air chambers AC and a plurality of airpassageways 55-59 interconnect the air chambers AC in the left sidegroup 52 of air chambers. A barrier 99 separates the right side group 42of air chambers AC from the left side group 52 of air chambers AC. Itshould be noted however, that the bladder like structure of the firstresistance article 12 permits air to flow from the front of the article12 (when seen as being worn by the user in FIGS. 7 and 9, for example)to the rear of the article 12. For drawing clarity purposes only aportion of the air chambers AC disposed in the right side group 42 ofair chambers AC in FIG. 12 are designated with a reference character AC.Similar for drawing clarity purposes only a portion of the air chambersAC disposed in the left side group 52 of air chambers AC in FIG. 12 aredesignated with a reference character AC. The arrangement and number ofair chambers AC in the groups 42, 52 can be easily seen in FIG. 12without such reference character designations for all the air chambers.

As best seen in FIG. 1, the outside member 30 is provided with a pair ofapertures or inlets indicated generally at 51 and 53 respectively. Whenthe inside member 20 and the outside member 30 are heat sealed togetherthese apertures 51 and 53 form a pair of irregular shaped openings orapertures to the interior air chambers AC of the first resistancearticle 12. These opening 51 and 53 provide an air passageways from theoutside atmospheric air into the interior bladder air chambers AC formedbetween the inside member 20 and the outside member 30. The inlets 51and 53 are arranged to provide access to the right side group 42 of airchambers AC and the left side group 52 of air chambers AC respectively.

As will be explained hereinafter in greater detail, the inlet 51 on thebottom right side of the first resistance article 12 is configured forreceiving therein a portion of the air pressure adjustment mechanism 40so that the right side group 42 of air chambers AC may be filled withair or alternately be deflated if already filled with air. The inlet 53provided on the bottom left side of the first resistance article 12,provides another air passageway which is in fluid communication with theair chambers AC in the left side group 52. The inlet 53 is configuredfor receiving therein a portion of the other air pressure adjustmentmechanism 50 so that the left side group 42 of air chambers AC may befilled with air or alternately be deflated if already filled with air.In this regard, the air pressure in the right side group 42 of airchambers AC can be controlled independently of the air pressure in theleft side group 52 of air chambers AC. Alternately, the air pressure inthe left side group 52 of air chambers AC can be controlledindependently of the air pressure in the right side group 42 of airchambers AC.

From the foregoing, it should be understood by those skilled in the artthat the inside member 20 and outside member 30 may be configured toform any number of air chambers, such as the air chambers AC. In thisregard, there could be a single air chamber on the right side and asingle air chamber on the left side; alternatively, there could be aplurality of air chambers on the right side and a plurality of airchambers on the left side. Therefore there is no intention of limitingthe number of air chambers that may be formed by heat sealing the insidemember 20 to the outside member 30 since one or more air chambers arecontemplated within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.

More specifically, it should be understood by those skilled in the art,that the number of air chambers formed during the construction of thefoundation article 12 is determined to be that number of air chamberswhich are necessary for facilitating the exercising of any selectedmuscle group or groups of a user. For example, there could be a singleair chamber or there could be a plurality of air chambers. Alternately,there could be a plurality of inflatable, interconnect air chambers on aright-side of the body to facilitate right-side muscle toning, and aplurality of inflatable, interconnect air chambers on a left-side of thebody to facilitate left-side muscle toning. The right side and left sideair chambers could also be inter-connected through a turn valve (notshown) that would direct air from the left side of the first resistancearticle 12 to the right side of the first resistance article 12 or fromthe right side of the first resistance article 12 to the left side ofthe first resistance article 12. Therefore there is no intention oflimiting the scope of the present invention to a specific number of airchambers or their interconnections as different configurations of airchambers and interconnections are contemplated within the scope of thepresent invention.

As already noted earlier, in order to facilitate the inflating of theright side group 42 of air chambers AC independently of the left sidegroup 52 of air chambers AC; the right side group 42 of air chambers ACis in fluid communication with the air pressure adjustment mechanism 40.In a similar manner in order to facilitate the inflating of the leftside group 52 of air chambers AC independently of the right side group42 of air chambers, the left side group 52 of air chambers AC is influid communication with the air pressure adjustment mechanism 50. Asthe air pressure adjustment mechanisms 40 and 50 are substantiallysimilar, only the air pressure adjustment mechanism 40 will be describedhereinafter in greater detail.

Considering now the right side air pressure adjustment mechanism 40 ingreater detail with reference to FIG. 2, the right side air pressureadjustment mechanism 40 generally includes an inflating mechanismindicated generally at 60 and a deflating mechanism indicated generallyat 70. Each of these components will now be described in greater detail.

Considering now the inflating mechanism 60 in greater detail withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the inflating mechanism 60 generallyincludes a two piece one way inflate valve indicated generally at 63(FIG. 14) and a bulb pump indicated generally at 66 (FIG. 2). The bulbpump 66 has a unitary construction and includes a flat body portion 62with a centrally disposed hemispherical flexible bulb 61 extendingupwardly therefrom and an irregular shaped right ear portion 67 whichhas extending upwardly therefrom an upstanding sectional stop 68. Thebulb pump 66 is made of a molded rubber material such as butyl rubber ora latex rubber which easily forms the flexible bulb 61. The bulb pump 66may also be molded urethane or any other material having good memorycharacteristics. As best seen in FIG. 2, the bulb 61 and the upstandingsectional stop 68 are configured and sized to pass through the inlets 51and 51′ so that the flat portion 62 butts against the inside surface 32of the outside sheet 30. The bulb pump flat portion 62 is then heatsealed to the inside surface of the outside sheet to form an airtightseal.

A small hole or aperture 43 is formed in the top of the bulb 61 whichhole 43 functions as first one way valve. That is, by using a small hole43 in the top of the bulb 61, air is not permitted to escape to theatmosphere when the bulb 61 is depressed because the thumb or finger ofthe user covers the hole as best seen in FIG. 14. When the user releaseshis or her thumb or finger from the hole 43, atmospheric air is able topass through the hole 43 and to fill the bulb 61.

The inflate valve 63 is a second one way valve, which is in fluidcommunication with the interior area of the bulb 61 and the air chambersAC in the right side section 42. The second one way valve or inflatevalve 63 includes a pair of irregularly shaped sheet member 63′ and 63″each having cutout areas indicated generally at 64′ and 64″respectively, and cut out areas indicated generally at 65′ and 65″.Inflate valve member 63′ differs from inflate member 63″ in that inflatesheet member 63′ has a centrally disposed hole 66′ and inflate sheetmember 63″ does not have a centrally disposed hole.

The two irregularly shaped sheet members 63′ and 63″ are heat sealedtogether except at about the cut out areas 65′ and 65″. The outside facearea of the inflate valve 63′ is heat sealed to the back side of bulbpump 66, after the bulb pump 66 has been heat sealed to the outsidesheet 30. In this regard, the bulb pump 66 is heat sealed to the outsidesheet 30 by first passing the bulb 61 and the sectional stop 68 throughtheir respective outside sheet inlet or mounting holes 51 and 51′respectively in the direction indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Once somounted within the outside sheet 30, the back side of the flat bodyportion 62 of the bulb pump 66 is heat sealed to the interior surface ofthe outside sheet 32. Next, with the bulb pump 66 mounted to the outsidesheet 30, the inflate valve member 63′ is aligned with the back side ofthe bulb pump 66 so that the outside diameter of its centrally disposedhole 66′ is aligned along a common axis A (FIG. 2) with the bulb 61where it is heat sealed to the back side of the bulb pump 66. The frontside of the inflate valve member 63″ is then heat sealed to the backside of the inflate valve member 63′ along all of its edges except atthe cutout areas 65″. This common cutout area indicated at 65′ and 65″is then free to flap open when atmospheric air is pushed out of the bulb61 into the inflate valve 63. When there is no air pressure to push openthe inflate valve 63, the two sheets 63′ and 63″ close together so aircan not escape from the air chambers AC in the right side 42. In thisregard, when the bulb 61 is depressed, air captured within the bulb 61will pass through the hole 66′ and into the interior of the firstresistance article 12 via the air passage way disposed in the inflatevalve 63 at about the cutout areas 65′ and 65″ and into the rightsection 42 along the passageway indicated generally at AI. The inflatevalve 63 (the pair of sheets 63′ and 63″ respectively) and the bulb pump66 are both composed of a urethane material. Thus, a simple one wayvalve is constructed which is inexpensive and simple to manufacture.

In operation, the bulb 61 of the inflating mechanism 60 is depressed.The user typically will use a thumb to depress the bulb 61 therefore thehole 43 is covered and air is forced out of the bulb 61 into the secondair valve 63 in the right section 42. As air is forced out of the bodyportion 60 under pressure of the thumb of the user, the sheets formingthe one way valve 63 are forced open allowing the air to pass into theair chambers AC in the right section 42 along the air passagewaysindicated generally at 45-49. After the bulb 61 is released by the thumbof the user, the second one way valve 63 is closed so that air may nowpasses through the hole 43 to fill the interior space of the bulb 61. Byrepeating this process, the air chambers AC in the right section 42 maybe filled to a desired air pressure by the user.

To release air from the air chambers (AC) in the right section, thefirst resistance article 12 is provided with the deflating mechanism orrelease valve 70. The release valve 70 is in fluid communication withthe air chambers AC in the right section 42. A portion of the releasevalve 70 is mounted through a hole 51′ in the outside member 30 whichprovides fluid communication with the right side group 42 of airchambers AC. As mounted the release valve 70 is located adjacent to thestop 68 where it can be conveniently activated by the user U. Therelease valve 70 as best seen in FIG. 2, includes a release valve buttonor plunger 86, a spring steel a spring 87 which is configured to biasthe plunger 86 in a closed position as shown in FIG. 4C. A base member88 having a flange 89 and centrally disposed plunger receiving hole isheat sealed between the outside member 30 and the inflate valve member63′. The plunger 86 and more particularly its stem 86′ is insert throughthe spring 87 and through the plunger receiving hole in the base member88 so the spring 87 and stem 86′ are movably captured within the basemember 88 with the stem 86′ disposed within the plunger receiving holewhich blocks the escape of air from the right group 42 of air chambersAC to the atmospheric air. In this regard, the base member 88 forms aplunger receiving cup which is dimensioned to surround the periphery ofthe plunger stem 86′, and when biased in the closed position the stem86′ of the plunger 86 keeps air from escaping between the plunger 86 andthe base member 88. To release air from the right side 42 air chambersAC, the plunger 86 is depressed by the finger of the user U as best seenin FIG. 14 allowing the stem 86′ to be move sufficiently so that air canthen escape around the stem 86′of the plunger 86 from the plungerreceiving hole, thus exiting air out indicated generally by line AO tothe atmospheric air outside the exercise apparel 10. The release button86 and the release valve base 88 are both manufactured of a PVCmaterial. In this regard, this release valve 70 assembly is mechanicallysimple, is inexpensive to manufacturer, and is light weight.

While a particular type of release valve has been described in thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, it should be understoodby those skilled in the art, that there may be a number of differenttypes of release valves which are suitable for practicing the invention.Therefore there is no intention of limiting the scope of the presentinvention to the disclosed release valve as other types of releasevalves are contemplated within the true scope of the present invention.

Considering now the second resistance article 14 in greater detail withreference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 6-11, the second resistance article 14generally includes a plurality of elongate resistance element coversarranged in a right group 29 of covers 33-35 and a left group 31 ofcovers 37-39. The covers are heat sealed to the exterior surface 36 ofthe outer member 30 to form a set of pockets. The pockets arepermanently closed at their distal ends and are open at their proximalends. The pockets or covers are dimensioned for receiving therein one ormore elongate resistance elements, such as the resistance elements 72-74and the resistance elements 76-78. A closure flap 75, which is heatsealed and secured to the upper periphery area of the outside member 30is configured to lift up to allow for the insertion of resistanceelements and then to flip down to close over the proximal end openingsof the covers 33-35 and 37-39. In this manner, any resistance elements,such as a resistance element 72, which may be inserted into itscorresponding pocket cover, where it will be securely retained so it cannot be dislodged while the user is using the exercise device 10.

To further facilitate the conditioning or development of a muscle groupof the user, the exercise garment 10 is configured to be provided with aplurality of resistance elements, such as the resistance elements 72-74and 76-78 (FIG. 1), which resistance elements are resilient memorymembers. The resistance elements in one preferred embodiment areelongated muscle wires where each muscle wire is composed of a shapememory alloy, such as steel alloys and titanium alloys. Each resistanceelement, such as the resistance element 72, is selected from a group ofshape memory alloys that includes copper-zinc-aluminum-nickel,copper-aluminum-nickel, nickel-titanium, and copper-nickel titanium.

The utilization of a shape memory alloys in the resistance elements ofthe exercise garment 10 is an important feature of the presentinvention. In this regard, the shape memory alloy, which is alsosometimes called a smart metal, a muscle wire, a smart alloy or a memoryalloy, is a lightweight alloy that “remembers” its original, cold,forged shape, and which returns to that shape after being deformed byapplying heat. In this case, the individual memory shape elements areconfigured and composed of muscle wire which deforms at or about thebody temperature of the user, so it deforms to provide dynamictensioning and compressing when the exercise garment 10 (memory shapeelement within the garment) is deformed from an original shape throughthe natural extension and flexing actions of a user wearing the exercisegarment 10. In this regard, each of the resistance elements 72-74 and76-78 are original flat substantially 2-dimensional articles which canbe easily inserted into their respective pockets or covers, such as thecovers 33-35 and 37-39 respectively, when the first resistance article12 is in its 2-dimensional configuration as best seen in FIG. 6. Oncethe resistance elements 72-74 and 76-78 have been secured within theirrespective pockets utilizing the closure flap 75, the first resistancearticle 12 and the second resistance article 14 as best seen in FIG. 6,can be distorted as they are wrapped around the body of the user U andsecured using the waist strap 80 and the leg straps 82 and 84respectively as best seen in FIG. 7. When the exercise device 10 is somounted to the body of the user U, it is transformed from itssubstantially flat 2-dimensional configuration as shown in FIG. 6, tothe 3-dimensional configuration as shown in FIG. 6. The user U is thenfree to adjust the resistance level of the first resistance article 12by increasing the air pressure within the various air chambers AC usingthe right side pressure adjustment mechanism 40 and the left sidepressure adjustment mechanism 50. The user U is also able to adjust theopposing structures of the second resistance article 14 by inserting oneor more of the resistance elements, such as the resistance elements72-74 and 76-78, into their respective pockets or covers 33-35 and 37-39respectively.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art, the user U, priorto mounting the exercise device 10 to his or her person, selects theresistance level of the second resistance article 12 but selecting oneor more of the resistance elements, such as the resistance element 72,for use with the first resistance article 12. The resistance elementsare inserted from the back of the first resistance article 12 and insertto a position in the front of the article 12 only when the article 12 iswrapped around the body of the user U. In this regard, the resistanceelements are inserted only when the article 12 is not being worn by theuser U. In this regard, the user U can adjust the resistance level ofthe second resistance article 12 before securing the exercise device 10to his or her body. The resistance elements 72 and 78 have similarshapes and radii. In order to allow the user U to have a selection ofresistance elements with different resistance levels, the resistanceelements are configured differently from one another where resistanceelements 73 and 77 have first shapes and first radii; where resistanceelements 74 and 76 have shapes and second radii; and where resistanceelements 72 and 78 have third shapes and third radii. Although theresistance elements have different shapes and radii, they all areconfigured to provide a second angle of resistance θ₂ where the secondangle of resistance θ₂ can be selected to be between about 0 degrees andabout 90 degrees relative to the first angle of resistance θ₁, but mostpreferably to be about 45 degrees relative to the first angle ofresistance θ₁. In short, the resistance elements 72-74 and 76-79 areconfigured when worn by a user U, to wrap from the rear of the user U tothe front of the user so resistance is experienced by the back legmuscles of the user, the buttock area muscles of the user, and the frontleg muscles of the user in a simultaneous manner so that 360 degrees ofresistive forces are provided.

Once the device 10 has been secured to the body of the user U, the userU, can “on the fly”, while the user is engaged in an exercise active,easily and conveniently adjust the resistance level of the firstresistance article 12 using one or both of the pressure adjustmentmechanisms 40 and 50 respectively. From the foregoing, it should beunderstood that the plurality of dynamically adjustable pressureopposing structures of the exercise device 10 are arranged so the usercan maneuver and adjust them either before securing the exercise device10 to the body of the user or “on the fly” while the user is engaged inan exercise activity. Such adjustments can be made “on-the-fly” to boththe first article of resistance 12 and the second article of resistance14. The exercise device 10 therefore provides a plurality of differentuser selected resistance levels, which facilitate conditioning ordeveloping of one or more one muscle groups of the user U.

Although in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, theplurality resistance elements 72-74 and 76-78 have been described asbeing composed of a memory alloy, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that they may also be composed of other acceptable materialssuch as steel springs, nylon, fiberglass rods, a combination oflaminated materials as listed herein, spring steel coated in a PVCmaterial, Kevlar, polyurethane rubbers, plastics with memory and carbonfiber materials where all such materials provide a sufficient dynamictensioning and compressing action when the resistance element or thememory shape element is deformed from an original shape through thenatural extension and flexing actions of the user wearing the exercisegarment 10.

Also, although in the preferred embodiment of the present invention theplurality of resistance elements 72-74 and 76-78 of the secondresistance article 14 have been described as having an irregular2-dimensional shape when seen in a plane view, and an irregular3-dimensional shape when mounted on the user U (using the firstresistance article 12 as a mounting structure), it should be understoodby those skilled in the art that each resistance element used in thesecond resistance article 14 may be configured as a unitary structurehaving a general U-shape so that one resistance element may be disposedbetween two covers or two pockets simultaneously, such as a singleresistance element disposed between the pockets or covers 33 and 39respectively.

Considering now the method of using the exercise kit 6 in greaterdetail, the method of using the exercise kit 6 includes the followingsteps:

-   -   1. selecting a substantially flat wrap-around exercise device or        garment 10 with a specific shape and function to help facilitate        the exercise of at least one muscle group of the user U;    -   2. providing the user U with the selected exercise device or        garment 10 which exercise device or garment 10 is adapted to be        worn over an article of clothing worn by the user, like a pair        of exercise shorts 8;    -   3. determining that the selected exercise device or garment 10        includes a first resistance article 12 and a second resistance        article 14, where the first resistance article 12 facilitates        the exercise of at least one muscle group of the user and        includes a plurality of pressure opposing structures or air        chambers AC to provide a range of user selected resistance        levels wherein the user U can further maneuver the pressure        opposing structure (AC) of the first resistance article 12 by        exerting an operating pressure thereupon to facilitate        conditioning or developing of the at least one muscle group of        the user U; and where the second resistance article 14 is        configured to cooperate with and overlay the first resistance        article 12 to further facilitate the exercise of the at least        one muscle group of the user; and where the second resistance        article 12 includes at least one resistance element selected        from another plurality of pressure opposing structures or        resistance elements 72-74 and 76-78 to provide another range of        user selected resistance levels, wherein the user can further        maneuver the pressure opposing structure of the second        resistance article 14 by exerting an operating pressure        thereupon to facilitate conditioning or developing of the at        least one muscle group of the user;    -   4. mounting the exercise device or garment 10 on the user U,        transforming its shape from a substantially flat 2-dimensional        wrap-around garment 10 into a substantially 3-dimensional        wrap-around garment 10 conforming to the shape of the user U and        overlaying the at least one muscle group of the user U; and    -   5. deforming the wrap-around exercise garment from its original        shape through natural extension and flexing actions of the user        to facilitate providing a resistive force to condition or        develop the at least one muscle group of the user U; and    -   6. adjusting on the fly, the resistance level of the first        resistance article 12 and or the second resistance article 14 to        facilitate the conditioning of the at least one muscle group of        the user U.

While this invention has been shown and described with respect to one ormore detailed embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that changes in form and detail thereof may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the claims of the invention. For example,from the above-detailed description, one skilled in the art shouldunderstand that the first resistance article 12 and the secondresistance article 14 function as an expandable exercise system; that isthe exercise kit 6 can be utilized in the following configurations: (1)in a first configuration with adjustable air pressure opposingstructures alone as provided by the first resistance article 12, whichwhen mounted by the user U, is transformed from a substantially flat2-dimensional device as seen in a plane view such as FIG. 6 into a3-dimensional device as seen in the pictorial view of FIG. 10 forexample; (2) in a second configuration with adjustable static opposingstructures alone, such as the resistance elements 72-74 and 76-78, asprovided by the second resistance article 14, which when mounted by theuser U, is transformed from a substantially flat 2-dimensional device asseen in a plane view such as FIG. 6 into a 3-dimensional device as seenin the pictorial view of FIG. 10 for example (in this configuration, thefirst resistance article 12 remains in a deflated state so that none ofthe adjustable air pressure opposing structures AC are exerting opposingforces against the selected muscle group or groups of the user U); and(3) in a third configuration where selected ones of the adjustable airpressure opposing structures (AC), cooperated with selected ones of theresistance elements 72-74 and 76-78, so that the first resistancearticle 12 and the second resistance article 14 cooperate together as anexercise system. As another example, relative to using the exercise kit6 and more specifically the second article of resistance 14, one or moreof the resistance elements 72-74 and 76-78, may be added, deleted oreven interchanged while the user is wearing the first article ofresistance 12.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 15-16,there is illustrated an exercise kit 1506 which is constructed inaccordance with the present invention. The exercise kit 1506 is similarto exercise kit 6 except the exercise kit 1506 is an integrated unitthat has a foundation exercise garment 1508 integrated with anadjustable exercise device 1510. In this regard, the exercise kit 1506is an exercise garment that can be directly worn as an ordinary wearingapparel item by a user (U). In this regard, the wearing apparel itemfunctions as an exercise kit, which facilitates the toning of andexercise of at least one muscle group of the user (U), as best seen in

FIGS. 15-16.

Considering now the exercise kit 1506 in greater detail with referenceto FIGS. 15-16, the exercise kit 1506 generally includes the foundationgarment, such as a pair of exercise shorts 1508 and an adjustableexercise device 1510 which is adapted to provide a range of resistancelevels which cooperates with the exercise garment 1508 to helpfacilitate the conditioning or development of at least one muscle groupof a user (U) by the repetitive or continuous activity of the user (U).The foundation exercise garment 1508 and the adjustable exercise device1510 although shown configured as exercise shorts, can be configured inalternative wearing apparel items. In this regard the wearing apparelmay be configured as exercise shorts 1508 as seen in FIGS. 15-16,short-legged exercise pants 1908 as seen in FIGS. 19-20, an exercise top2008 as seen in FIGS. 19-20, an exercise suit 2108 as seen in FIGS.21-22, or long-legged exercise pants 2308 as seen in FIG. 23. From theforegoing, it should be understood by those skilled in the art, that theexercise kit can be configured in a wide range of different exercisegarments that can be utilized by the user (U) for facilitating theexercise of a wide selection of different muscle groups of the user (U).As the adjustable exercise device 1510 is similar to exercise device 10,exercise device 1510 will not be described hereinafter in greaterdetail.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 17-18 thereis illustrated an exercise kit 206 which includes a conventionalexercise garment, such as a pair of exercise shorts 8, and an adjustableexercise device 210 which is adapted to be worn as a wearing apparelitem by a user U, over the conventional pair of shorts 8. The pair ofshorts or cover pants can be spandex screen printed to provide theshorts 8 with a decorative appearance. The adjustable exercise device210 is completely portable, light weight and when attached to the bodyof the user U, it is transformed from a substantially flat 2-dimensionalwearing apparel article as best seen in FIGS. 17-18, into a 3-dimensionwearing apparel article. In this regard the exercise kit 206 can beeasily worn by the user U during professional workout activitiesassociated with football, soccer, baseball, basketball, and tennis forexample, during gym or home exercise activities, or even during theactivities experienced during the normal work day that includes walking,reaching, climbing, turning and running. In short then, the exercise kit206 and exercise device 210 provide the user with a piece of portableexercise equipment which can be used to tone and exercise body muscleswithout causing unwanted and undesired muscle strain or soreness.

As will be explained hereinafter in greater detail, the exercise device210 includes a plurality of dynamically adjustable pressure opposingstructures which are arranged so the user can maneuver and adjust thepressure opposing structures either before securing the exercise device210 to the body of the user or “on the fly” while the user is engaged inan exercise activity. The exercise device 210 therefore provides aplurality of different user selected resistance levels, which facilitateconditioning or developing of one or more one muscle groups of the userU.

The method of using the kit 206 to facilitate the conditioning ordeveloping of one or more muscle groups of the user U, includes wrappingand overlaying the adjustable exercise device 210 around a selected bodypart of the user, such as around the waist, hips, buttocks and upperlegs of the user; securing the adjustable exercise device 210 to theselected body part of the user U; adjusting the resistance levels of theexercise device 210 so the user can maneuver the pressure opposingstructures of the exercise device 210 to provide a plurality ofdifferent user selected resistance levels which facilitate conditioningor developing of one or more one muscle groups of the user U; andengaging in any type of physical activity that will move the musclegroup or groups covered by the exercise device 210 such as aprofessional workout activity, a gym or home exercise activity, or evennormal work day activities that includes walking, reaching, climbing,turning and running.

Considering the adjustable exercise device 210 in greater detail withreference to FIGS. 17-18, the exercise device 210 generally includes afirst resistance article 212 which is adapted to be worn by the user U,to provide a plurality of adjustable pressure opposing structures at afirst angle of resistance θ₁ against one or more muscle groups of theuser U, and a second resistance article 214 which is adapted to provideanother plurality of pressure opposing structures at a second angle ofresistance θ₂ against the same one or more muscle groups of the user. Inshort then, as best seen in FIG. 17-18, the first resistance article 212and the second resistance article 214 cooperate to provide at least twodifferent angles of resistance for the opposing structures to operateagainst one or more muscle groups of a user. As will be explainedhereinafter in greater detail, the level of resistance provided by firstresistance article 212 is adjustable between a minimum resistance leveland a maximum resistance level. Likewise, the level of resistanceprovided by the second resistance article 214 is also adjustable betweena minimum resistance level and a maximum resistance level. In shortthen, the exercise device 210 not only provides two different angles ofresistance for the opposing structures provided by the first resistancearticle 212 and the second resistance article 214, but also theresistance levels of those article 212 and 214 can be adjustedindividually to provide a user with a wide range of resistance levels toeffectively condition and develop one or more of the muscle groups ofthe user U. Moreover, due to the unique structure of the exercise devicetransforming from basically a 2-dimensional structure in a firstconfiguration to a 3-dimensional structure in a second configuration,the user is provided with 360 degrees of opposing structures foroperating against one or more muscle groups of a user.

Considering now the angles of resistance provided by the firstresistance article 212 and the second resistance article 214, in onepreferred embodiment of the present invention, as best seen in FIGS.17-18, the first angle of resistance θ₁ is at about 90 degrees to thelongitudinal axis L of the user, while the second angle of resistance θ₂is at about 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis L of the user. It shouldbe understood by those skilled in the art, that the first angle ofresistance θ₁ and the second angle of resistance θ₂ are chosen toprovide the most effective and beneficial resistance levels for themuscle group or muscle groups that will be opposed by the resultingpressure structures. Moreover, when the exercise garment 210 is wrappedabout the user, as best seen in FIGS. 17-18, the angles of resistanceprovided by the exercise garment 210 are transformed from asubstantially flat 2-dimensional orientation plane and into athree-dimensional orientation to provide the user with a 3-dimensionworkout article, which provides as mentioned earlier 360 degrees ofopposing structures for operating against one or more muscle groups of auser. This is a unique and novel transforming structure which not onlyprovides a wide variation in the angles of the opposing structures butwhich also provides the user with the ability to adjust the resistancelevels of the opposing structure so that the selected resistance levelswill enhance and specifically target the conditioning or developing ofone or more muscle groups of the user U. In short, as the usermanipulates the exercise device 210, it will provide various angles ofresistance against a muscle group of the user, such as for example, theangle of resistance θ₃ as previously described relative to exercisedevice 10.

Although in the preferred embodiment of the present invention thedisclosed first angle of resistance θ₁ and the disclosed second angle ofresistance θ₂ have been described as being between about 90 degrees andabout 45 degrees respectively, it should be understood by those skilledin the art, that other angles of resistance could be selected based uponthe muscle group or groups that are targeted for development. Thereforethere is no intention of limiting the scope of the disclosed first angleof resistance θ₁ at about 90 degrees as the first angle of resistance θ₁can be selected to be between about 0 degrees and about 90 degrees, butmost preferably to be about 90 degrees. Similarly, there is no intentionof limiting the scope of the disclosed second angle of resistance θ₂ atabout 45 degrees as the second angle of resistance θ₂ can be selected tobe between about 0 degrees and about 90 degrees relative to the firstangle of resistance θ₁ but most preferably to be about 45 degreesrelative to the first angle of resistance θ₁.

As the first resistance article 212 is substantially similar to thefirst resistance article 12 as previously described relative to FIGS.6-11, the first resistance article 12 will not be described hereinafterin greater detail except as necessary to provide a clearer understandingof how first resistance article 212 cooperates with second resistancearticle 214.

Considering now the second resistance article 214 in greater detail withreference to FIGS. 17-18, the second resistance article 214 generallyincludes a plurality of elongate resistive channel members arranged in aright group 227 of resistive channels 233-235 and a left group 228 ofresistive channels 237-239. The channel members are heat sealed to theexterior surface of the exercise device 210 to help define a set ofresistive mounting surfaces. A set of a spaced apart mounts, such as amount M, are disposed along the channels 233-235 and 237 and 239respectively, The mounts M are dimensioned for receiving thereon one ormore elongate resistance elements, such as a right group of resistanceelements 272-274 and a left group of resistance elements 276-278. Aclosure flap 275, which is heat sealed and secured to the upperperiphery area of the exercise device 210 is configured to lift up toallow for the attachment of the resistance elements and then to flipdown to close over the ends of the resistance elements.

Considering now the resistive elements in greater detail, the resistanceelements 272-274 and 276-278, are resilient memory members. Theresistance elements in one preferred embodiment are elongated musclewires where each muscle wire is composed of a shape memory alloy, suchas steel alloys and titanium alloys. Each resistance element, such asthe resistance element 272, is selected from a group of shape memoryalloys that includes copper-zinc-aluminum-nickel,copper-aluminum-nickel, nickel-titanium, and copper-nickel titanium.

The utilization of a shape memory alloys in the resistance elements ofthe exercise garment 210 is an important feature of the presentinvention. In this regard, the shape memory alloy, which is alsosometimes called a smart metal, a muscle wire, a smart alloy or a memoryalloy, is a lightweight alloy that “remembers” its original, cold,forged shape, and which returns to that shape after being deformed byapplying heat. In this case, the individual memory shape elements areconfigured and composed of muscle wire which deforms at or about thebody temperature of the user, so it deforms to provide dynamictensioning and compressing when the exercise garment 210 (memory shapeelement within the garment) is deformed from an original shape throughthe natural extension and flexing actions of a user wearing the exercisegarment 210. In this regard, each of the resistance elements 272-274 and276-278 are original flat substantially 2-dimensional articles which canbe easily attached or secured to their respective mounts M. Once theresistance elements 272-274 and 276-278 have been secured within theirrespective mounts M, the first resistance article 212 and the secondresistance article 214 as best seen in FIGS. 17-18 are distorted as theyare wrapped around the body of the user U and secured using a waiststrap 280 and leg straps 282 and 284 respectively as best seen in FIG.18. For example, when the waist strap 280 is looped through securingaperture 290 its associated waist strap mount 281 is secured to waistbase mount 291 to secure the strap about the waist of the user (U).Similarly, leg straps 282 and 284 are provided with securing apertures292 and 294 respectively and with strap mounts 283 and 285 which areadapted to engage leg base mounts 293 and 295 respectively.

Once the exercise device 210 is so mounted to the body of the user U, itis transformed from its substantially flat 2-dimensional configurationas shown in FIG. 17-18 to the 3-dimensional configuration as wasprevious shown relative to exercise device 10 in FIGS. 6-7, for example.The user U is then free to adjust the resistance level of the firstresistance article 212 by increasing the air pressure within the variousair chambers AC using a right side pressure adjustment mechanism, and aleft side pressure adjustment mechanism, such as mechanism 240 and 250as best seen in FIG. 18 for example. The user U is also able to adjustthe opposing structures of the second resistance article 214 byattaching one or more of the resistance elements, such as the resistanceelements 272-274 and 276-278, into their respective channels and mountsM. In this regard, the resistance elements 272-278 cooperate withresistive channels 233-235 and 237-239 to extend the range of resistancelevels that may be chosen by the U for exercising and toning his or hermuscles.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art, the user U, priorto mounting the exercise device 210 to his or her person, selects theresistance level of the second resistance article 212 by selecting oneor more of the resistance elements, such as the resistance element 272,for use with the first resistance article 212. The resistance elementsare attached from the back of the first resistance article 212 andmounted to a position in the front of the article 212 only when thearticle 212 is wrapped around the body of the user U. In this regard,the resistance elements are mounted on their respective mounts M onlywhen the article 212 is not being worn by the user U. In this regard,the user U can adjust the resistance level of the second resistancearticle 212 before securing the exercise device 210 to his or her body.The resistance elements 272 and 278 have similar shapes and radii. Inorder to allow the user U to have a selection of resistance elementswith different resistance levels, the resistance elements are configureddifferently from one another where resistance elements 273 and 277 havefirst shapes and first radii; where resistance elements 274 and 276 haveshapes and second radii; and where resistance elements 272 and 278 havethird shapes and third radii. Although the resistance elements havedifferent shapes and radii, they all are configured to provide a secondangle of resistance θ₂ where the second angle of resistance θ₂ can beselected to be between about 0 degrees and about 90 degrees relative tothe first angle of resistance θ₁, but most preferably to be about 45degrees relative to the first angle of resistance θ₁. In short, theresistance elements 272-274 and 276-279 are configured when worn by auser U, to wrap from the rear of the user U to the front of the user soresistance is experienced by the back leg muscles of the user, thebuttock area muscles of the user, and the front leg muscles of the userin a simultaneous manner so that 360 degrees of resistive forces areprovided.

Once the device 210 has been secured to the body of the user U, the userU, can “on the fly”, while the user is engaged in an exercise active,easily and conveniently adjust the resistance level of the firstresistance article 212 using one or both of the pressure adjustmentmechanisms, for example, the mechanisms 240 and 250 respectively. Fromthe foregoing, it should be understood that the plurality of dynamicallyadjustable pressure opposing structures of the exercise device 210 arearranged so the user can maneuver and adjust them either before securingthe exercise device 210 to the body of the user or “on the fly” whilethe user is engaged in an exercise activity. Such adjustments can bemade “on-the-fly” to both the first article of resistance 212 and thesecond article of resistance 214. The exercise device 210 thereforeprovides a plurality of different user selected resistance levels, whichfacilitate conditioning or developing of one or more one muscle groupsof the user U.

Although in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, theplurality resistance elements 272-274 and 276-278 have been described asbeing composed of a memory alloy, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that they may also be composed of other acceptable materialssuch as steel springs, nylon, fiberglass rods, a combination oflaminated materials as listed herein, spring steel coated in a PVCmaterial, Kevlar, polyurethane rubbers, plastics with memory, carbonfiber materials, or even elastomeric urethane materials where all suchmaterials provide a sufficient dynamic tensioning and compressing actionwhen the resistance element or the memory shape element is deformed froman original shape through the natural extension and flexing actions ofthe user wearing the exercise garment 210. For example, in anotherpreferred embodiment the resistance elements are bands of elastomericurethane, which bands may be stretched and attached to the mounts M. Inthis regard, the resistance element bands 272-274 and 276-278 areconstructed from resistant yet flexible material and are strategicallysecured at precise points along their respective channels to provide asnug fit against the body of the user. The bands create resistance whichis designed to help tone and strengthen at least one muscle group of theuser.

Also, although in the preferred embodiment of the present invention theplurality of resistance elements 272-274 and 276-278 of the secondresistance article 214 have been described as having an irregular2-dimensional shape when seen in a plane view, and an irregular3-dimensional shape when mounted on the user U (using the firstresistance article 212 as a mounting structure), it should be understoodby those skilled in the art that each resistance element used in thesecond resistance article 214 may be configured as a unitary structurehaving a general U-shape so that one resistance element may be disposedbetween two opposing channels and mounts, such as the channels 233 and237 and the mounts M within these respective channels.

As noted earlier, the channels 233-235 and 237-239 are resistivechannels. In this regard, the channels may be composed of the samematerials as described for the resistance elements 272-274 and 276-278.In this regard, the materials utilized for construction of the channels233-235 and 237 and 239 will not be further described hereinafter ingreater detail.

Considering now the mounts (M) in greater detail with reference to FIGS.18 and 24, the mounts (M) generally include two parts, a first part orgrommet 260 which is secured to a resistance element, such as theresistance element 272 for example, and a second part or detent post261, which is secured within a channel, such as 235 for example. Thefirst part 260 and the second part 261 cooperate with one another tohelp secure an associated resistance element, such as the resistanceelement 272, within its associated channel, such as the channel 235 aswill be explained hereinafter in greater detail.

Considering now the first part 260 in greater detail with reference toFIGS. 18 and 24, the first part 260 has a generally round shape with acentrally disposed opening 262. The opening 262 is dimensioned to allowthe grommet 260 to be secured to the second part 261. Each resistanceelement, such as the resistance element 272, includes a plurality ofgrommets 260 which are spaced apart from one another along theirassociated resistance element. There are a sufficient number of grommets260 on each resistance element, such as the resistance element 272, toallow the resistance element 272 to be securely anchored within itsassociated channel, for example channel 235. Grommets 260 are disposedat each end of an associated resistance element, such as the resistanceelement 272.

Considering now the detent post 261 in greater detail with reference toFIGS. 18 and 24, the detent post 261 generally includes a base member263 with a generally round shape. The base member 263 is secured withinits associated channel, channel 235 for example. Extendingperpendicularly upwardly therefrom is a mounting post 265, which isintegrally connected to the base member 263. At about or near the distalend of the mounting posts a pair of openings are provided which allow anassociated pair of detents (D) to extend outwardly there a sufficientdistance to trap or secure below them a grommet, such as the grommet 260when the grommet 260 is received onto the mounting post 265. The detents(D) are spring loaded within the mounting post 265 and can be releasedor retracted within the mounting post 265 to permit the grommet 260 tobe released. In this regard, each of the detent posts, such as thedetent post 261 includes a release button, such as the release button267, which when depressed by a user permits the detents (D) to beretracted to within the mounting posts 265. In an opposite action, whenthe release button 267 is not depressed the detents remain in a fixedoutwardly position as best seen in FIG. 24. There is one detent post,such as the detent post 261 for each associated grommet, such as agrommet 260, to allow them to work together as a securing pair.

Considering now the method of using the exercise kit 206 in greaterdetail, the method of using the exercise kit 206 is substantiallysimilar to the method of using exercise kit 6 and will not be describedhereinafter in greater detail.

Referring now to the drawings and more specifically to FIGS. 19-20 thereis illustrated another exercise kit 1906, which is constructed inaccordance with the present invention. The exercise kit 1906 is anintegrated unit that has a lower exercise garment 1908 with a lowerexercise device 1910 and an upper exercise garment 2008 with an upperexercise device 2010. The lower exercise garment 1908 and the upperexercise garment 2008 with their associated exercise devices 1910 and2010 respectively, are light weight and can be worn as conventionalclothing items. These garments 1908 and 2008 are each embodied with aunique feature and structure that creates a push-pull action against themuscles of a user (U) as the user carries out his or her normal dailyactivities. In this regard, these devices or garment 1908 and 2008 notonly help tone and exercise the muscles of the user (U) but they alsoassist the user (U) by encouraging better posture and body alignment.

Considering now the exercise garments 1908 and 2008 in greater detailwith reference to FIGS. 19-20, the exercise garment 1908 includes a setof strategically placed channel members, such as a right group ofchannel members, indicated generally at 1970, and a left group ofchannel members, indicated generally at 1980. The individual channelmembers in the respective groups 1970 and 1980 are directly woven intothe exercise garment 1908 to provide the garment with not onlyflexibility but also with a built-in resistance quality. Thiscombination of flexibility and resistance work together to assist theuser (U) with his or her natural body motions but also work together toexercise and tone the muscles of the user (U). This combination ofactions is also designed to strengthen the body muscles by creating apush-pull action against the muscles of the user along the channels,such as the channel members 2021 and 2022 associated with the exercisegarment 2008.

In a broad sense then, each channel member, such as the channel member2021, is a resilient memory member, that is composed of a pattern ofshape memory alloy threads that imparts flexibility and resistance tothe base garment along the channel defined by the pattern of shapememory alloy. The shape memory alloy pattern provides a fixedresistance. In one preferred embodiment the memory alloy threads arecomposed of a shape memory alloy, such as steel alloys and titaniumalloys. Each resistance element pattern or channel therefore is aresistance element, such as a resistance element 2021, which is selectedfrom a group of shape memory alloys that includescopper-zinc-aluminum-nickel, copper-aluminum-nickel, nickel-titanium,and copper-nickel titanium.

The utilization of a shape memory alloys in the resistance elements ofthe exercise garments 1908 and 2008 is an important feature of thepresent invention. In this regard, the shape memory alloy, which is alsosometimes called a smart metal, a muscle wire, a smart alloy or a memoryalloy, is a lightweight alloy that “remembers” its original, cold,forged shape, and which returns to that shape after being deformed byapplying heat. In this case, the individual memory shape elements areconfigured and composed of muscle wire or thread wire which deforms ator about the body temperature of the user, so it deforms to providedynamic tensioning and compressing when the exercise garment 1908(memory shape element within the garment) is deformed from an originalshape through the natural extension and flexing actions of a userwearing the exercise garment 1908.

Considering now the exercise garments 1908 and 2008 in still greaterdetail with reference to FIGS. 19-20, the exercise garment 1908 alsoincludes a set of spaced apart mounts, such as a mount M. The mounts Mare dimensioned for receiving thereon one or more elongate resistanceelements, such as a resistance element 1971 and a resistance element1981. Each of the resistance elements, such as the resistance elements1977 and 1987 are stiff, preformed resistance elements that are composedof an elastomeric urethane material, which has memory. That is, as thismaterial is stretched by the body movement of the user, it has built-inmemory to return to its original preformed shape. Thus, these resistanceelements supplement the resistance level that was provided by theunderlying resistance element channels, such as the resistance channels1979 and 1989 as best seen in FIG. 19. The resistance elements areeasily attached over their respective channels using the mountingarrangements or in the alternative, if the extra resistance is notdesired by the user, the resistance elements can be easily removed. Inthe preferred embodiment of the present invention, the resistanceelements, such as the resistance elements 1977 and 1987 are illustratedas overlaying their respective channel members 1979 and 1989respectively. However, it should be understood by those skilled in theart, that such resistance elements may be place offset from theirrespective channels by similar having the mounts (M) offset rather thatdisposed at the distal and proximal ends of a channel. Also in thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, the channels areillustrated as extending from the front side of the garment to the backside of the garment and creating a crossed pattern. There is nointention of limiting the scope of the present invention to thisspecific pattern as other patterns are considered. For example aback-to-front pattern without a crossed pattern, such as shown in theupper garment 2008, or for example a front to back pattern as shown inFIGS. 8-9.

While this invention has been shown and described with respect to one ormore detailed embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that changes in form and detail thereof may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the claims of the invention. For example,different types of end mounts EM are possible for securing a resistanceelement within its associated channel. For example, referring to FIG. 25there is illustrated an end mount EM1 configuration that generallyincludes a first part 2560 and a second part 2561 which cooperate withone another to secure an associated resistance element 2572 within itsassociated channel, such as a channel 2535. The first part 2560 isdisposed on its associated resistance element, such as the resistanceelement 2572, at its distal and proximal ends respectively. Theconventional mounts (M) as previously described are then spaced apartfrom one another along the longitudinal length of the resistance element2572 between the two end mounts EMI. The first part 2560 in thisconfiguration generally includes a tapered end mount 2566 whichterminated in a set of opposing cutout (C). The tapered end mount 2566in this case, is adapted to be received within the second part 2561 andlocked removably in place by the cutouts (C) engaging against anupstanding post member 2565 that forms part of the second part 2561. Inthis regard, the second part 2561 is disposed within it associatedchannel, such as the channel 2535, at its distal and proximal endsrespectively, and generally includes a base member 2563 which is securedat an associated distal end part of the channel 2535 or an associatedproximal end of the channel 2535. Extending perpendicularly up from thebase member 2563 and integrally attached thereto is the associatedupstanding post member 2565 which includes an opening or aperture 2562.The opening 2562 is dimensioned for allowing the tapered end 2566 of thefirst part 2650 to pass thereto which tapered end 2566 is then trappedby its cutouts C which rest against the post member 2565. To release theresistance element 2572 a user must press the tapered end 2566 togetherand pull it outwardly and away from the second part 2561.

Another type of end mount EM2 is illustrated in FIG. 26. The end mountEM2 generally includes a first part 2660 and a second part 2661 whichfirst part 2660 and second part 2661 cooperate with one another tosecure an associated resistance element 2672 within its associatedchannel, such as a channel 2635. In this mount arrangement, the firstpart 2660 is disposed on its associated resistance element, such as theresistance element 2672, at its distal and proximal ends respectively.The conventional mounts (M) as previously described are then spacedapart from one another along the longitudinal length of the resistanceelement 2672 between the two end mounts EMI. The first part 2660 in thisconfiguration generally includes a rounded end mount 2666 whichterminated in a set of opposing cutout (C). The rounded end mount 2666in this case, is adapted to be received within the second part 2661 andlocked removably in place by the cutouts (C) engaging against anupstanding post member 2665 that forms part of the second part 2661. Inthis regard, the second part 2661 is disposed within it associatedchannel, such as the channel 2635, at its distal and proximal endsrespectively, and generally includes a base member 2663 which is securedat an associated distal end part of the channel 2635 or an associatedproximal end of the channel 2635. Extending perpendicularly up from thebase member 2663 and integrally attached thereto is the associatedupstanding post member 2665 which includes an opening or aperture 2662that extending along the longitudinal axis of the post member 2665. Theopening 2662 is dimensioned for allowing the rounded end 2666 of thefirst part 2650 to pass thereto which rounded end 2666 is then trappedby its cutouts C which rest against the post member 2665, when rotatedabout 180 degrees. To release the resistance element 2672 a user mustrotate the rounded end by 180 degrees to align the rounded end 2666 withthe opening 2662 that is disposed in the post member 2665 so the roundedend 2666 may then be pulled outward and away from the second part 2661.

PARTS LIST

6 An Exercise Kit 6

8 A Pair of Exercise Shorts 8

10 An Adjustable Exercise Device 10

12 A First Resistance Article 12

14 A Second Resistance Article 14

20 A Flexible Polyvinylchloride (PVC) Inside Member 20

22 An Inside Member Interior or Bonding Surface 22

24 Die Alignment Mark

26 Die Alignment Mark

29 A Right Side Group of Resistance Element Covers

30 A Flexible Polyvinylchloride (PVC) Outside Member 30

31 A Left Side Group of Resistance Element Covers

32 An Outside Member Interior or Bonding Surface 32

33 Cover 33

34 Cover 34

35 Cover 35

36 An Outside Member Exterior Surface 36

37 Cover 37

38 Cover 38

39 Cover 39

40 An Air Pressure Adjustment Mechanism 40

42 An Inflatable Right Side Group of Air Chambers 42

43 Air Hole

45 Air Passageway 45

46 Air Passageway 46

47 Air Passageway 47

48 Air Passageway 48

49 Air Passageway 49

50 An Air Pressure Adjustment Mechanism 50

51 A Right Side Inlet

52 An Inflatable Left Side Group of Air Chambers 52

53 A Left Side Inlet

54 A Left Side Air Pump or Inflating Mechanism 54

55 Air Passageway 55

56 Air Passageway 56

57 Air Passageway 57

58 Air Passageway 58

59 Air Passageway 59

60 A Deflating Mechanism 60

61 Flexible Bulb 61

62 Flat Body Portion 62

63 Inflate Valve Outlet

63′ Front Inflate Valve Member

63″ Rear Inflate Valve Member

64′ Front Inflate Valve Right Side Cutout

64″ Rear Inflate Valve Right Side Cutout

65′ Front Inflate Valve Left Side Cutout

65″ Rear Inflate Valve Left Side Cutout

66 Bulb Pump

67 Right Ear Portion

68 Upstanding Stop

70 A Deflating Mechanism or Release Valve 70

72 Resistance Element 72

73 Resistance Element 73

74 Resistance Element 74

75 Closure Flap 75

76 Resistance Element 76

77 Resistance Element 77

78 Resistance Element 78

80 A Waist Strap 80

80′ An Inside Member Wrist Strap Portion 80′

80″ An Outside Member Wrist Strap Portion 80″

81 A Waist Hook Pad 81

82 A Right Leg Strap 82

82′ An Inside Right Leg Strap Portion 82′

82″ An Outside Right Leg Strap Portion 82″

83 A Right Leg Hook Pad 83

84 A Left Leg Strap 84

84′ An Inside Left Leg Strap Portion 84′

84″ An Outside Left Leg Strap Portion 84″

85 A Left Leg Hook Pad 85

86 Deflate Valve Button or Plunger 86

87 Deflate Valve spring 87

88 Deflate Valve Base 88

89 Deflate Valve Base Flange 89

90 A Waist Strap Receiving Slot 90

90′ An Inside Waist Strap Receiving Slot Portion 90′

90″ An Outside Waist Strap Receiving Slot Portion 90″

91 A Waist Pile Pad 91

92 A Right Leg Strap Receiving Slot 92

92′ An Inside Right Leg Strap Receiving Slot Portion 92′

92″ An Outside Right Leg Strap Receiving Slot Portion 92″

93 A Right Leg Pile Pad 93

94 A Left Leg Strap Receiving Slot 94

94′ An Inside Right Leg Strap Receiving Slot Portion 94′

94″ An Outside Left Leg Strap Receiving Slot Portion 94″

95 A Left Leg Pile Pad 95 [0166] 99 a Barrier 99

206 An Exercise Kit 206

210 An Adjustable Exercise Device 210

212 A First Resistance Article 212

214 A Second Resistance Article 214

227 A Right Group 227 of Resistive Channels

228 A Left Group 228 of Resistive Channels

233 A Resistive Channel 233

234 A Resistive Channel 234

235 A Resistive Channel 235

237 A Resistive Channel 237

238 A Resistive Channel 238

239 A Resistive Channel 239

240 A Right Side Pressure Adjustment Mechanism 240

250 A Left Side Pressure Adjustment Mechanism 250

260 A First Part (a grommet) 260

261 A Second Part (a detent post) 261

262 An Opening 262

263 A Base Member 263

265 A Mounting Post 265

267 A Release Button 267

272 A Resistance Element 272

273 A Resistance Element 273

274 A Resistance Element 274

275 A Closure Flap 275

276 A Resistance Element 276

277 A Resistance Element 277

278 A Resistance Element 278

280 A Waist Strap 280

281 A Waist Strap Mount 281

282 A Leg Strap 282

283 A Strap Mount 283

284 A Leg Strap 284

285 A Strap Mount 285

290 A Securing Aperture 290

291 A Waist Base Mount 291

292 A Securing Aperture 292

293 A Leg Base Mount 293

294 A Securing Aperture 294

295 A Leg Base Mount 295

1506 An Exercise Kit 1506

1508 A Foundation Exercise Garment (exercise shorts) 1508

1510 An Adjustable Exercise Device 1510

1906 An Exercise Kit 1906

1908 A Lower Exercise Garment (a short-legged exercise pants) 1908

1910 A Lower Exercise Device 1910

1970 A Right Group of Channel Members 1970

1971 A Resistance Element 1971

1977 A Resistance Element 1977

1979 A Resistance Channel 1979

1980 A Left Group of Channel Members 1980

1981 A Resistance Element 1981

1987 A Resistance Element 1987

1989 A Resistance Channel 1989

2008 An Exercise Top (an upper exercise garment) 2008

2021 A Channel Member 2021

2022 A Channel Member 2022

2108 An Exercise Suit 2108

2308 Long-Legged Exercise Pants 2308

2535 A Channel 2535

2560 A First Part 2560

2561 A Second part 2561

2562 An Opening or Aperture 2562

2563 A Base Member 2563

2565 An Upstanding Post Member 2565

2566 A Tapered End Mount 2566

2572 A Resistance Element 2572

2635 A Channel 2635

2660 A First Part 2660

2661 A Second Part 2661

2662 An Opening or Aperture 2662

2663 A Base Member 2663

2665 An Upstanding Post Member 2665

2666 A Rounded End Mount 2666

2672 A Resistance Element 2672

C A Cutout C

D A Detent D

EM An End Mount EM

EM1 An End Mount EM1

EM2 An End Mount EM2

L A Longitudinal Line L

M A Mount M

U A User U

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beendisclosed, it is to be understood that various different modificationsare possible and are contemplated within the true spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Therefore, there is no intention, of limitations tothe exact abstract or disclosure herein presented. I claim:

1. An exercise kit, comprising: a foundation article of clothing; anduser adjustable resistive means cooperating with said foundation articleof clothing to facilitate the exercise of at least one muscle group of auser.
 2. The exercise kit according to claim 1, wherein said useradjustable resistive means provides a range of user selected resistancelevels to customize the exercise resistance level exerted against saidat least one muscle group of the user.
 3. The exercise kit according toclaim 2, wherein said foundation article of clothing is a exerciseshorts or pants.
 4. The exercise kit according to claim 2, wherein thefoundation article of clothing is an exercise suit.
 5. The exercise kitaccording to claim 2, wherein the foundation article of clothing is anexercise shirt.
 6. An exercise kit, comprising: a foundation article ofclothing; and a plurality of user adjustable resistive means arranged tocooperate with one another to facilitate the exercise of at least onemuscle group of a user.
 7. The exercise kit according to claim 6,wherein said plurality of user adjustable resistive means each provide arange of user selected resistance levels to customize the exerciseresistance level exerted against said at least one muscle group of theuser.
 8. The exercise kit according to claim 7, wherein said foundationarticle of clothing is formed from a fabric structure that cooperateswith said plurality of user adjustable resistive means to furtherfacilitate the exercise of least one muscle group of the user.
 9. Theexercise kit according to claim 8, wherein said plurality of useradjustable resistive means includes first resistance means having a useradjustable pressure opposing structure for operating against said atleast one muscle group of the user; and wherein the user maneuvers thepressure opposing structure of said first resistance means to provide auser selected operating pressure to facilitate a desired conditioningforce for exercise said at least one muscle group of the user.
 10. Theexercise kit according to claim 9, wherein said plurality of useradjustable resistive means includes second resistance means havinganother user adjustable pressure opposing structure for operatingagainst said at least one muscle group of the user; and wherein the usermaneuvers the pressure opposing structure of said second resistancemeans to provide another user selected operating pressure to facilitateanother desired conditioning force for exercise said at least one musclegroup of the user.
 11. . The exercise kit according to claim 10, whereinsaid first resistance means and said second resistance means arearranged in an overlaid configuration.
 12. The exercise kit according toclaim 10, wherein said first resistance means and said second resistancemeans are arranged in a side-by-side configuration.
 13. The exercise kitaccording to claim 10, wherein said first resistance means and saidsecond resistance means are arranged integral to one another.
 14. Theexercise kit according to claim 10, wherein foundation article ofclothing is exercise shorts or pants.
 15. The exercise kit according toclaim 10, wherein the foundation article of clothing is an exercisesuit.
 16. The exercise kit according to claim 10, wherein the foundationarticle of clothing is an exercise shirt.
 17. The exercise kit accordingto claim 10, wherein said first resistance means includes a plurality ofair pockets, wherein each individual one of said plurality of airpockets is adjustable over a range of user selected air pressures toprovide said user selected operating pressure to facilitate a desiredconditioning force for exercise of said at least one muscle group of theuser.
 18. The exercise kit according to claim 17, wherein said secondresistance means includes a plurality of stretchable straps, wherein theindividual ones of said plurality of stretchable straps have differentlengths to provide said another user selected operating pressure tofacilitate another desired conditioning force for exercise of said atleast one muscle group of the user.
 19. The exercise kit according toclaim 18, wherein the individual ones of said plurality of stretchablestraps are attachable to said foundation article of clothing.
 20. Theexercise kit according to claim 18, wherein the individual ones of saidplurality of stretchable straps are composed of polyurethane havingelastomeric properties.
 21. The exercise kit according to claim 17,wherein said second resistance means includes a plurality of elongatedmuscle wires.
 22. The exercise kit according to claim 21, wherein eachindividual one of said plurality of elongated muscle wires is a steelspring; and wherein each individual one of the steel springs provides adifferent resistive force to facilitate providing the desiredconditioning force for exercise of said at least one muscle group of theuser.
 23. The exercise kit according to claim 17, wherein secondresistance means includes a plurality of resilient memory members. 24.The exercise kit according to claim 23, wherein each individual one ofsaid plurality of resilient memory members is selected from a group ofshape memory alloys composed of: steel alloys and titanium alloys. 25.The exercise kit according to claim 24, wherein said titanium alloysinclude: nickel titanium and copper nickel titanium.
 26. The exercisekit according to claim 8, wherein said foundation article of clothing isformed of a fabric structure composed of a steel alloy or a titaniumalloy.
 27. The exercise kit according to claim 26, wherein said titaniumalloy includes: nickel titanium and copper nickel titanium.